The propeller shaft transmits torque from the transfer gearbox to the rear final drive.
The propeller shaft consists of a front and a rear shaft, an intermediate flexible support with a bearing, and two universal joints.
The propeller shafts are made of thin-walled steel tubes and have different tube diameters.
The propeller shaft design, consisting of two shafts, allows the critical rotational speed to be increased.
To compensate for the angular and axial movements of the power unit and the rear suspension, an inner joint is installed at the rear of the front propeller shaft.
The connection with the inner joint is closed by a rubber boot and is completely sealed.
The front end of the rear propeller shaft is mounted in the intermediate support.
The support consists of a ball radial bearing mounted in a bracket inside a rubber cushion.
To eliminate uneven rotation, two identical universal joints are used, and their yokes, located at the ends of the propeller shafts, must lie in the same plane.
In this case, the uneven rotation caused by one universal joint is compensated by the unevenness of the other.
The propeller shafts are dynamically balanced as an assembly on special test benches.
The imbalance is corrected by welding balance plates to the shaft tube.
An imbalance in the propeller shaft causes noticeable vibration at high speeds (above 60—80 km/h).
A severe imbalance can cause the destruction of the propeller shaft and adjacent components.
The propeller shaft has a non-detachable design and is replaced as an assembly in the event of wear or damage.
External signs of propeller shaft faults are: increased noise, vibration, knocking when starting off and changing gears.
The causes of these phenomena may be: increased wear of the bearings and spiders in the joints, of the intermediate support bearing, loss of balance plates, loosening of the bolts securing the flanges of the propeller shaft yokes to the flanges of the electromagnetic clutch and the transfer gearbox.
Removal of the propeller shaft
We place the vehicle on a lift or inspection pit.
Using a 16 mm ring spanner, we undo the bolt securing the rear propeller shaft joint yoke to the electromagnetic clutch flange.
Moving the shaft forward, we withdraw the centring shoulder of the joint yoke flange from the electromagnetic clutch flange.
We tie the universal joint to the electromagnetic clutch flange.
Using a 13 mm socket, we undo the two bolts securing the intermediate support bracket to the body floor.
Using a 16 mm socket with an extension, we undo the bolts securing the front propeller shaft joint yoke to the transfer gearbox output shaft flange.
Moving the propeller shaft backward, we withdraw the centring shoulder of the joint yoke flange from the transfer gearbox output shaft flange.
We remove the propeller shaft.
We install the propeller shaft in the reverse order.
